Mapleton to fill vacant council seat through application process
MAPLETON – A vacant council seat in the Township of Mapleton will be filled through an application process.
Council will invite interested individuals to submit applications, and will then appoint someone based on these applications.
Councillors approved this approach, instead of holding a by-election or directly appointing someone, during a regular meeting on Sept. 24.
Township staff will return to council on Oct. 8 with an outline of the specific procedures for the application and appointment process.
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According to a Sept. 24 staff report, the application process could potentially include two-page personal background summaries and delegations at a Mapleton council public session.
Mayor Gregg Davidson said Wellington County filled a vacant council seat a few years ago by making an appointment through an application process, which worked “quite well.
“Councillor Mary Lloyd was appointed, and Mary is still on county council after being elected a couple times after that,” Davidson said.
Martin Tamlyn
The council seat is vacant because Martin Tamlyn accepted a climate change coordinator position that will be shared between the townships of Mapleton and Centre Wellington.
Tamlyn is set to start on Sept. 30, following his final day as Mapleton councillor on Sept. 27.
Davidson said Tamlyn is “well suited” for the new position.
“It is something that we all know you’ll be good at,” he said to Tamlyn during the Sept. 24 council meeting.
“Just having you on council these last two years, the passion you have for the environment has shown up in every conversation that we’ve had and all your comments you make here at the township.”
CAO Manny Baron agreed, adding "I can't think of anything, any job and any person that would match better than the journey you are embarking on with that role."
Davidson expressed appreciation for the two years that Tamyln “dedicated to this community on council” and said he looks forwards to what Tamlyn will “provide us in the future, when it comes to the environment.”
Tamyln reflected fondly on his time on Mapleton council, calling it a “supportive environment.
“It has been incredible to witness how dynamic this township is and the relationships and the quality of the staff and the councillors and mayor and CAO and everyone,” he said.
“I really look forward to continuing my public service working for both Centre Wellington and Mapleton townships in a climate capacity."
